Dursley and high spots south and east
Arriving at Dursley at about 9.30 a.m. we were able to secure a parking place, which was free, which naturally made Mick very happy, and soon with Larry and Peter the four of us were toiling uphill along the Cotswold Way.
Stinchcombe
Hill.
Stinchcombe Hill was the
first high spot of the day, with a height of 219
metres, or about 720 feet. Although we did
wander off the most direct route up the hill
this was only a minor aberration and we soon
reached the golf course which utilizes the
hill’s plateau top. We then walked around the
top of the hill in an anti clockwise direction
generally following a Cotswold Way detour. On
the north rim of the hill we had views towards
the River Severn, but regrettably, because of
mist, we were unable to get really good views of
the landscape to our north and west. Continuing
around the hill to Drakestone Point, we had
views south towards North Nibley and the Tyndale
Monument, which looked like Cleopatra’s Needle,
perched on top of Nibley Knoll. We then left
Drakestone Point and walked the Cotswold Way,
along the rim of the hill, first north-eastwards
and then south, before descending through the
oak and beech wood as we aimed for North Nibley.
A field of Oil Seed
Rape and a very beautiful country residence
seen between Stinchcombe Hill and Nibley
Knoll.
This was very pleasant. Although there were a few
ups and downs, particularly an ascent along an old
sunken lane on the outskirts of North Nibley, the
going was fairly easy, or it would have been if
Peter had not been jet propelled and making it
difficult for the older members of the group – me
-, to keep up. Oh to be young and fit.
It was at this point, probably because I was trying
to keep up with Peter that I nearly made a
navigational error, and guess what, I was reminded
about it for the rest of the day with comments
about ”upside down compasses and maps”. Seems like
my “friends” were getting their own back for
previous comments I may have made about them.
Mick and Larry on the
steps leading to the top of Nibley Knoll.
Nibley Knoll, at 660 feet, was reached. The “Boys”
however had been a bit crafty. It wasn’t until we
were nearing the Knoll that I was informed we were
going up to the monument on the top of this hill.
Fortunately part of the path to the top consisted
of a large number of steps, which helped the
ascent. I didn’t bother to count them, but there
were plenty, so it was a real relief to get to the
top of the knoll, sit on the stone “seats” around
the Tyndale Monument and have a well earned break.
However, although I was very warm having toiled to
the top, the wind whistling around the monument
soon cooled me down and I was pleased I had brought
a fleece top that I could wear.
The Tyndale Monument
in memory of William
Tyndale
who translated the Bible into English in about
1530.
Looking back towards
Nibley Knoll and the Tyndale Monument.
Two of our number
entering the woodland between Nibley Knoll and
Wootton Hill.
A very pleasant part of the walk.
Break over, it was pleasant to walk the mile or so
southwards along the ridge from Nibley Knoll to
Wootton Hill where, now that the mist had cleared,
we had wonderful views downhill to Wootton under
Edge and the bridges over the River Severn to the
west.
The clump of trees on
Wootton Hill overlooking the town of Wootton under
Edge.
Mick and Larry trying to get on film (or should
that be on digital camera)
the view of the River Severn and the Severn
Bridge.
A part of Larry's
photograph of the River Severn and Bridge seen from
Wootton Hill.
You can just see the "towers" of the bridge.
By now we were getting hungry. It was fast
approaching 12.30 p.m. and Larry had booked a table
for us at the New Inn at Waterley Bottom
for lunch. So it was best foot forward, leaving
the Cotswold Way to get on to the London Road,
which despite the impressive name is no more
than a narrow lane. In less than ½ mile we
turned left off the London Road and then it was
northwards to the Pub at Waterley Bottom, a mile
or so further on at grid reference ST758693.
I really enjoyed the walk to the pub. It was down a
narrow country lane between high banks full of
trees and plants. It was so pleasant I won’t even
mention, in detail, the short cut Peter took us on,
which meant we had to retrace our steps. Yes we can
all make navigational errors! The distance, we had
covered by the time we reached the Pub, according
to Mick’s GPS was just over 10 miles. We really
needed our lunch stop.
Mick admiring the
vegetation,
or was he just posing, in the narrow lane leading
to the New Inn.
The Pub was really good. There was an excellent
choice of real ales to enjoy, so we all tried half
pints of some of the different varieties, to wash
down our lunch. All were much appreciated after the
morning’s endeavors.
The New Inn at
Waterley Bottom.
After the inevitable
photo shoot outside the pub, when Larry had to
almost lie on the ground to get us in focus and set
off his camera’s self timer so we could all be in
the picture, we were off up another hill.
Larry's photograph of
the "Boys" outside the New Inn.
The New Inn is located at the farthest point that
is accessible by vehicles up a very narrow lane.
Although the lane continues beyond the pub it
becomes a steep sunken track, probably an old salt
way. Not the sort of track you really want to
ascend after 10 miles, lunch and beer, but ascend
we did.
Breakheart Hill is the name of this “little”
ascent. Seemed quite apt, although it was probably
easier than the previous two “pulls” we had had
earlier in the day. Don’t know the highest point
but from looking at the OS map for the area I
estimate it to be in excess of 600 feet.
The ascent of
Breakheart Hill.
At the road at the top of the hill we went right
(east) for about a mile before going into Folly
Wood and then Coppers Wood before going downhill
over fields to Uley.
Mick, Peter and Larry
on the road to Folly Wood.
Originally the intention was to go from Waterley
Bottom – “Don’t you just love that name” – more or
less straight back to Dursley and then home. But
Mick was aware of a small brewery in Uley and he
was keen to have a look at it and visit its
“visitors centre”. Well he was right about being
a small brewery. It looked like a house with a
big garage and it was only by luck that we
spotted it.
Uley however seemed a very
pleasant community. Looked like a good place to
live. But we had no time to spend admiring it.
We had to get back to Dursley. We were fortunate
that Peter had picked a very scenic route for
our return. Yes you’ve guessed it. Having found
the correct path behind Uley Church we went
straight up another hill.
The view of Uley Bury which we saw as we left the
woods and approached Uley.
Walking through
Uley.
Uley Bury, height c 750 feet,
was the next ascent. It is an old hill fort. If
you want to find out more about it click here.
So we walked uphill across a field and then
along a steep path through a wooded area.
Needless to say I brought up the rear, but I did
stop to take some photos and admire the view.
Going up the hill to
Uley Bury.
Uley from half way up
Uley Bury.
Peter and Mick then went the wrong way and I’m very
grateful to them for doing so. It had been intended
to take the Cotswold Way back into Dursley, via Cam
Long Down. However, before we reached the top of
the Down” we would have to loose height and then
have an ascent of about 300 feet to the top of the
Down. Not the most energy efficient way to get back
to Dursley. But thanks to a wrong turn on the top
of Uley Bury, Peter and Mick lead us south west
along the north west side of the “Bury” before
descending to Hydegate and then it was west along
the road until just after Uleyfields where we
turned off left (south east) to take a right of way
across fields back to Dursley.
Peter, Mick and me,
navigating a stile, as we descend from Uley
Bury.
It had been an excellent, and very enjoyable day’s
walking, but oh those ascents.
Unfortunately during the later stages of the walk
Mick’s GPS had a malfunction – the batteries went
flat. However, after the walk Mick checked the
total distance on some very clever computer
software that came with his GPS. The program showed
that the total distance of the walk was 15.5 miles.
It actually seemed longer than that, which was
probably because of the ascents, which the software
calculated as being 2,800 feet.
If you would like to do this walk the OS Explorer
Map for the area is No. 167 (Thornbury, Dursley and
Yate).